auto accident

April 27, 2023

The Need for Speed: But at What Cost?

Many people enjoy being adventurous and getting a thrill. All-Terrain Vehicles are great for this as they allow you to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and have some off-road fun all at the same time. In fact, many individuals grow up riding ATVs with their family and friends and even learn to operate them at a very young age.

However, this fun activity can instantly turn into a tragedy. Unfortunately, ATV accidents are fairly common and can result in just some cuts and scrapes or life- threatening injuries or worst of all, death.

March 24, 2023

Bones vs. Steel- Who Wins?

by Cardone Law Firm

Spring has sprung! And, for many of us, that means getting back to enjoying the sunshine, warm temperatures, and longer hours of daylight. To take advantage of this, many people are outside on the busy streets walking, jogging, running, and cycling.

While being outdoors and exercising can be great for your physical and mental health, you must also be aware of the safety issues that come along with this choice. Far too often, I see pedestrians and cyclist ignoring the rules of the road. It only takes one quick second for this ignorance to backfire on you.

March 13, 2023

I’D RATHER HAVE UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE THAN COMMIT ADULTERY

by Cardone Law Firm

A legendary basketball coach was invited to give an inspirational speech to religious leaders. Midway through the speech the group broke for refreshments. Two punch drinks were offered…. One, was spiked for the Catholics, the second was unspiked for the Baptists.

The coach was talking to a rather self-important Baptist minister who mistakenly took a sip of the spiked punch. When he realized that the punch was spiked, he defiantly poured it back into the punch bowl, telling the coach…”I’d rather commit adultery than drink spiked punch.” To which the coach dryly responded, “by God, I didn’t know I had a choice”! ADULTERY OR SPIKED PUNCHED?

March 5, 2023

Why You Should Add Uninsured Motorist Coverage to Your Auto Policy

by Cardone Law Firm

If you’ve been injured in a car wreck that is not your fault, you will always look to the at fault driver to pay for your damages. But what happens if that driver did not have insurance? Or did not have enough insurance to fully compensate you? What if you are involved in a hit and run? If this is the case, we would turn to your own auto policy to see if you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

While Louisiana does not require drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage (UM), it is never a bad idea to add it to your policy. In fact, 15% of Louisiana drivers do not have auto insurance. Although drivers are required to carry minimum liability insurance, not all drivers abide by this rule, so it is always important to have an extra layer of coverage for yourself in case of an accident.

January 19, 2023

Why an Accident Report is Crucial to Your Claim

by Cardone Law Firm

Have you ever been involved in a car crash and wondered what you should do next? After making sure that everyone is okay and does not require immediate medical attention, call the police. In many cases, the police officer will come to the scene and write an accident report. This report can be very important for your personal injury claim.

Although an accident report itself is not typically admissible as evidence in court, it is used as a great source of information as to the basic facts of the accident such as location, time, driver information, witness statements, police narrative, and more.

November 23, 2022

Stay Safe This Thanksgiving

by Cardone Law Firm

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year. In fact, the American Automobile Association anticipates nearly 55 million people will be traveling for this year’s holiday. With the increase in traffic on the roads, there is also an increase in the likelihood of an auto accident occurring. To ensure that you and your family stay safe this Thanksgiving, we have included some tips for safe travels.

Before you get on the road this year, be sure to:

October 14, 2022

Will a Pre-Existing Condition Affect your Louisiana Personal Injury Claim?

by Cardone Law Firm

If you were involved in an accident and were already dealing with a pre-existing injury, you may be wondering how that previous injury will impact your new claim. While having a pre-existing condition does not bar a car accident victim from recovery, it could present challenges when it comes to proving your injuries and value of your claim. Insurance companies will often use this as a tactic to deny fair compensation or claim the motor vehicle accident did not cause the injury. So, it is crucial to contact an attorney immediately to guide you through the process.

Simply put, a pre-existing condition is a health condition that an injured person already had before a new accident occurred. The likelihood of someone suffering from a pre-existing condition is high, especially as you age. However, this should not keep personal injury victims from being properly compensated. Although the insurance company may want an injured party to believe otherwise, a squeaky-clean bill of health is not necessary to prove your injuries. If you suffer from a pre-existing injury, it is important to prove that the accident worsened that injury rather than caused it.

September 23, 2022

Pets are more than just property… Not under Louisiana Law!

by Cardone Law Firm

Many pet owners treat their furry companions as a treasured part of the family. As of 2022, seventy percent of U.S. households, or about 90.5 million families, own a pet. Whether you are taking a trip to the vet, the beach, or the dog park, pets are along for the ride nearly every day. They are often unrestrained. Unfortunately, the more time pets spend in the car with us, the greater the chances of them being injured in an automobile accident. So, what happens if your pet is injured in a car accident with you? Will the insurance company pay for its medical bills too?

The simple answer is yes! This is because your pet is considered your personal property. While we think of our pets as much more than just a piece of property, this is how they are defined in insurance policies. As long as you are not at fault for the accident, the negligent driver’s insurance company is required to pay for your pet’s vet bills, so long as there is no exclusion written in the policy which would exclude your pet from being covered.

November 17, 2021

Receiving Compensation for Emotional Distress and Loss of Enjoyment of Life After an Accident

by Cardone Law Firm

An individual’s quality of life can be greatly affected in an instant. After an accident, most people are primarily concerned with apparent physical injuries and property damage. But once the dust settles, emotional suffering can begin to greatly impact the victim’s life.

Not only may the victim experience physical pain, but he or she may also suffer mentally. A victim’s mental pain and suffering after an accident is less about the physical pain from the injuries, and more about the mental and emotional anguish that is caused by the injuries and the accident. In fact, emotional distress is very common following an accident. It can negatively impact the victim’s daily activities and routine. If the trauma is severe enough, it may require treatment from a psychologist or therapist.

October 1, 2021

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Urges Payment of Evacuation Expenses

by Cardone Law Firm

Getting back on your feet after a storm can be exhausting, especially when trying to deal with your insurance company. In early September, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, urged insurance companies to pay evacuation expenses of policyholders affected by Hurricane Ida.

A majority of homeowners policies include coverage for additional living expenses (ALE). This coverage is intended to cover costs when individuals cannot access their homes due to an evacuation order, physical barriers, or hazardous road conditions blocking entry. It generally extends up to two weeks following a disaster if you were ordered to evacuate, but it will extend for a longer period if the home is deemed uninhabitable.